Fact Check

Did Dave Ramsey Say He Doesn't Believe in Stimulus Checks Because if You Need Them 'You Were Pretty Much Screwed Already'?

The radio host made a comment on Fox News that was received unfavorably by many.

Bethania Palma

Published Feb. 12, 2021

NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 22: Money Expert Dave Ramsey Celebrates 25 Years On The Radio During A SiriusXM Town Hall at Sirius XM Nashville studios on August 22, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Anna Webber/Getty Images for SiriusXM) ( Anna Webber/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Image courtesy of Anna Webber/Getty Images for SiriusXM
Claim:
Financial adviser and radio host Dave Ramsey said he "doesn't believe" in stimulus checks to Americans because if you needed the money, "you were pretty much screwed already."
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During an appearance on Fox News, financial adviser and radio host Dave Ramsey made a comment that many people found to be tone deaf to the hardships of the coronavirus pandemic, at best.

The comment came when "America's Newsroom" host Bill Hemmer asked Ramsey how much money he thought Americans should receive in the next round of pandemic stimulus checks. Ramsey answered he didn't "believe in" stimulus checks because if people need them that bad, they were already "screwed." Video of the exchange can be viewed here:

Ramsey was referencing financial aid in the form of money sent directly to many Americans in an effort by both the Trump and Biden administrations to mitigate economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, including business closures and layoffs. The comment drew immediate backlash, like this tweet from attorney and journalist Imani Gandy:

By Bethania Palma

Bethania Palma is a journalist from the Los Angeles area who started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and has covered everything from crime to government to national politics. She has written for ... read more

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